C & O Canal Towpath Trail, Section #4

C & O Canal Towpath Trail, Section #4 is a 43.8 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Little Orleans, Maryland that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

43.8 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

885 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Point to Point

dog friendly

backpacking

birding

camping

cross country skiing

hiking

mountain biking

nature trips

snowshoeing

trail running

walking

forest

river

views

wild flowers

wildlife

Bike or hike the history, scenery & wildlife of this fabled, classic trail from Little Orleans, MD to Cumberland, MD.
This western section of the famous C & O Canal Towpath trail includes remote stretches along the Potomac River. In addition to the abundant wildlife, numerous campgrounds, and excellent biking & hiking, trail users will enjoy the incredible Paw Paw Tunnel, one of the most famous canal tunnels in the world.
Other unique and interesting stops along the way include numerous canal locks, historic lockhouses, the old Pollock Cemetery, and the town of Cumberland Maryland. In Cumberland, the C & O trail joins the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Combined, the two trails span all the way from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C. and make up one of the longest continuous biking trails in the world.
The C & O trail can be used all year long but is a special treat in the fall when weather conditions are ideal, trail traffic is lighter, and Mother Nature provides a beautiful display of fall colors.

Biked in fall of 2015 and enjoyed with caveats. First it’s flat and straight. Some nice views along the way and a lot of history to check out, and it’s mainly in the shade. But the trail maintenance is poor, lots of roots to discover and if it’s wet, the mud will be miserable. Discovered that it turns to cement when built up between tire and fenders. Like a third brake. Paw paw tunnel was really “cool” and dark. Nice camping spots along the way as well as lock houses that can be rented.

Just finished the Gap Trail this fall and what a difference. This followed the rail lines to Pittsburgh over the continental divide and you’d never know you were climbing 1800’ in a half days ride. No roots to wake you and mostly in the shade. Nice views along several different rivers. Viaduct was spectacular as was Big Savage tunnel. And Amtrak will bring you and your bike back to Cumberland!

this was long and flat and boring. I did the longest day hike with the sierra club 100k so out and back and the highlight of the day was a thunderstorm. this would be fun for bike packing or a long walk with the fam but as a hike it left a lot to be desired. take extra precautions if you're allergic to poison ivy/oak/sumac because it's rampant.